Liquid conductor heater



Oct. 1, 1935. M. w. HANKS ET AL 2,015,672

LIQUID CONDUCTOR HEATER Filed April 16, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 1, 1935. M. w. HANKs ET AL I LIQUID CONDUCTOR HEATER 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 16, 1951 Patented Oct. 1*, 1935 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID CONDUCTOR HEATER Application April 16, 1931, Serial No. 530,490

16 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in liquid conductor heaters of the type in which spaced electrodes are connected by a liquid within a container so that when an electric current is passed `through the liquid between the electrodes, the liquid is; heated and may be evaporated by the passage of the current.

The principal object of the invention is to simplify the construction oi devices of this kind and to provide improved means by which the starting and stopping of the operation oi the device may be controlled. A further object of the invention is to provide improved means for causing a measured quantity of liquid to be subjected to the action of the current passing between the electrodes tween the electrodes within a limited area of theV vessel. A further object of the invention is to provide simplied construction for the mounting of the electrodes and the connection thereto of the electrical conductors through which the current is supplied. Another object is to provide a liquid conductor heater having improved means for controlling the action and distribution of the vapors which are created by the passage of the current through the liquid. Other objects relate to various features of construction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the following specification taken with the accompanying drawings in which certain embodiments are illustrated. In the drawings, Figure l shows a vertical section through one form of the improved liquid conductor heater;

Fig. 2 shows a partial, vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 shows a horizontal section taken on the line ffl-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 shows a vertical section through a modiiied form of insulating tube in which the electrodes are mounted;

Fig. 5 shows an elevation of a modied form of liquid conductor heater embodying the invention, with a portion thereof broken away to show the electrode containing tube and adjacent parts in vertical section;

Fig. 6 shows a vertical section through the electrode units of Fig. 5 taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 shows a horizontal section taken on the line I-'I of Fig. 6.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, comprises a vessel or container I0 of circular cross section which is provided centrally 1,. in its upper wall with a flaring mouth I I. This vessel is adapted to contain a liquid I2 which may be a medicinal compound adapted to be vaporized for the purpose of treating diseases of the nose or throat, for example. The flaring mouth II of 10 the vessel is adapted to be engaged by a similarly flared plug IS, formed of rubber or the like, and a tubular stopper It, of cork or the like, may preferably be inserted in the mouth Ii between the wall thereof and the plug I3. The plug I3 15 is secured to or formed integrally with a tube I5 which extends downwardly into the vessel I0 and which is preferably closed at its lower end by an end wall I5a.

Within the tube I5, which is formed of thermal and electrical insulating material, there are mounted two vertically extending spaced electrodes i6 which are also spaced from the walls in the tube and which extend upwardly through the passage Il of the tube which is continued through 25 the plug I3 and which may be flared outwardly at its upper end as shown by dotted lines at ila. The upper extremities of the electrodes are turned outwardly as shown at Ia and these out-turned portions I6a are located within the recesses I3a which are formed in the upper surface of the plug. The extremities of the parts Iiia are reversely bent as shown at -I6b for the purpose of clamping in place the extremities i8a of the electrical conductors I8 which lead from a source 5 of current supply. These conductors are insulated throughout the major portion of their length, but their extremities ia have the insulation removed therefrom so that contact may be made between them and the reversely bent extremities Iib 4 of the electrode arms. The outer ends of the conductors I8 are connected to a terminal fitting or plug I9 having contacts lila which may be in serted into the usual wall socket. rIhe upper outer edge of the plug I3 is threaded as shown at I 3b 45 and this threaded portion is engaged by the correspondingly threaded down-turned flange 26a of a cap 2i? formed' of rubber or other suitable insulating material. The conductors i8 are located in a groove I3C formed in the plug which 50 opens on the under-side of the plug adjacent the cap 2e. This cap member, when screwed onto the plug I3, serves to hold the electrodes I6 iirmly in place due to the mounting of the arms I6Fu thereof in the outwardly directed recesses I3a of 55 the plug. The plug is provided with a vertical, central opening 2l which is located in alignment with the passage I'I formed through the plug I3 and the tube I5 and the restricted upper end of this opening 2| is surrounded by an annular ilange 2Gb formed as a part of the cap.

The liquid I2 contained within the vessel l0 is adapted to be vaporized within the tube I5 by the passage of current between the spaced electrodes I6, and in order to permit the introduction of a predetermined measured quantity of the liquid I2 into the tube I5, the tube is provided, above the normal level of the liquid in the vessel ID, with one or more openings I5b, located within an annular trough or measuring cup 22. This cup is united with or attached to a part of the tube I5 and it extends outwardly and upwardly therefrom to form a receptacle adapted to receive a quantity of the liquid I2 when the vessel I0 is shaken in the hand of the user in order to cause the contents I2 to splash upwardly over the edge of the cup or trough. In this way, a measured quantity of liquid is obtained in the trough or cup 22 and this immediately iiows inwardly through the opening I5b into the tube I5. As it iiows downwardly to the bottom of the tube, it establishes contact between the electrodes I6 so that a current passes between these electrodes, assuming that the conductors I8 are connected to a source of supply, and the measured quantity of the liquid in the bottom of the tube is thereby vaporized. When the vaporization has continued to such an extent that the level of the liquid within the tube I5 is lowered below the lower ends of the electrodes I6, the passage of current ceases and the operation of the device is thus automatically shut oil. If the liquid I2 is a medicinal compound, for example, the vapors from a predetermined quantity of the liquid may, therefore, be caused to pass off through the opening 2| and be inhaled by the user of the apparatus. By repeatedly shaking the vessel I0, any desired successive predetermined quantities of the liquid I2 may be introduced into the tube I5 through the measuring cup 22.

If it be desired to employ the apparatus in effecting the evaporation of a liquid for a considerable period of time, the tube I5 of the apparatus may be modified as shown at Fig. 4, where it is illustrated as being replaced by a tube 24 having mounted therein the spaced electrodes 25. This tube 24, which is formed of thermal'and electrical insulating material, is open at its lower end so that when it is inserted in the vessel, the liquid within the vessel maintains its own level within the tube and the evaporation continues as long as the electrodes are connected to the source of current supply. If desired, the tube 24 may be provided at one side with one or more vent holes 26 so that if there is any excess bubbling within the tube, due to the boiling of the liquid, it is relieved by the vent hole which permits the liquid content of the bubbles to escape back to the vessel instead of being carried out through the vent hole at the upper end of the tube. The bubble formation may also be relieved by enlarging the upper end of the passage through the plug as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modified form of construction in which the mounting of the electrodes is greatly simplified. In this form, the vessel 3U is adapted to contain a quantity of liquid 3| to be vaporized and the vessel is provided centrally in its upper wall with a ared mouth 32 adapted to receive a molded plug 33 of rubber or the like from which two spaced electrodes 34 extend downwardly into the vessel. These electrodes are preferably iiat bars of conducting material spaced apart and having their upper ends embedded within the plug 33, preferably during the process of molding the plug. The electric current is supplied to the electrodes 34 through conductors 35 which have their extremities 352L freed of insulation and placed in electrical contact with the electrodes by having the upper extremities 34a of these electrodes reversely bent about them, as particularly illustrated in Fig. 5. The conductors 35 are connected to a terminal plug 3G having contacts 36u which are adapted to be inserted in the usual wall socket of the house lighting system.

The plug 33 is provided with a vent hole 3`I which is preferably directed at an angle therethrough so that the user of the apparatus may locate the mouth of this` vent hole conveniently adjacent the nose or mouth in case the vessel 3D contains a medicinal compound the vapors of which are to be inhaled. The upper surface 33e of the plug is preferably tapered as shown in the drawings to conform to the inclination of the vent hole 3'I and the lower portion 33b thereof is tapered to correspond to the flare of the mouth 32 of the vessel. A tube 38, of glass or other electrical and thermal insulating material, surrounds the electrodes 34 beneath the plug 33. This tube may be secured to the plug 33 or it may be slipped over the electrodes 34 and held thereon by frictional contact therewith. The tube 38 is open at its lower end and the electrodes 34 extend downwardly to points adjacent the lower end of the tube. The liquid 3l in the vessel thus has access to the electrodes through the lower end of the tube and the vaporization of the liquid continues as long as the electrodes are in place within the vessel.

In the operation of any of the forms of the invention described above, the heating and evaporation of the liquid takes place within a relatively small chamber which is insulated from the body of liquid in the vessel so that there is no appreciable transfer of heat to the body of the liquid during the operation of the apparatus. Since a relatively small quantity of liquid serves to connect the electrodes, this liquid may be heated and evaporated quickly when the apparatus is started in operation so that a vapor may be discharged from the mouth of the tube without Where the heating tube is open at its lower end, the liquid which connects the electrodes is constantly replenished as it is evaporated but there is no circulation of the liquid which would cause the heated portion to mingle with the body of the liquid in the vessel.

Although certain forms of the invention have been shown and described by way of illustration, it will be understood that it may be constructed in various other embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapte to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a tube extending vertically downward from the top of said vessel into said liquid and having a vapor discharge opening leading to the atmosphere, a pair of spaced electrodes in said tube, and a wall for closing the lower end of said tube, said tube having an opening therein above the level of the liquid in said vessel to permit the introduction of liquid into said tube.

2. The combination in a liquid conductor heatdelay.

er, of a vessel adaptedto contain a liquid to be vaporized, a tube extending vertically downward from the top of said vessel into said liquid and having its lower end closed, ay pair of spaced electrodes in said tube, and means mounted in said Vessel for measuring and introducing a measured quantity of said liquid into said tube.

3. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a tube extending vertically downward from the top of said vessel into said liquid, a. pair of spaced electrodes in said tube, means for closing the lower end of Said tube, and means for measuring and introducing `a measured quantity of said liquid into said tube.

4. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a. tube extending into said vessel, a pair of spaced electrodes located in said tube, a cup mounted on said tube, the wall of'said tube having an opening leading from said cup, and means for connecting said electrodes` in an electric circuit.

5. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a` liquid to be vaporized, said vessel having a mouth, an insulating plug engaging said mouth, a tube carried by said plug, a pair of electrodes extending into said tube, said electrodes having reversely bent ends, and a pair of electrical conductors having their extremities clamped within said reversely bent ends of said electrodes.

6. The combination in a liquid con-ductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, said vessel having a mouth, an insulating plug engaging said mouth, a tube carried by said plug, a pair of electrodes extending into said tube, said electrodes having reversely bent ends, a pair of electrical conductors having their extremities clamped within said reversely bent ends of said electrodes, and a cap member detachably engaging said plug and holding said electrodes in position.

7. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, said vessel having a mouth, an insulating plug engaging said mouth, a tube carried by said plug, a pair of electrodes extending into said tube, said electrodes having reversely bent ends, a pair of electrical conductors having their extremities clamped within said reversely bent ends of said electrodes, a cap member detachably engaging said plug and holding said electrodes in position, said cap member having an aperture therethrough communicating with the passage of said tube.

8. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, said Vessel having a mouth, a plug engaging said mouth, a pair of spaced electrodes extending into said vessel, said plug being of molded material having said electrodes embedded therein, and having a passage therethrough, and electrical conductors having their extremities connected to said electrodes within said plug.

9. rEhe combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, said vessel having a mouth, a plug engaging said mouth, a pair of spaced electrodes extending into said vessel, said plug being of molded material having said electrodes embedded therein, and having a passage therethrough, electrical conductors having their extremities connected to said electrodes within said plug, and a tube surrounding said electrodes Within said vessel.

10. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a pair of spaced electrodes located in said tube, said tube being mounted vertically and closed at its lower end, an annular trough surrounding saidtube, said tube having an aperture therethrough communicating with said trough, whereby said trough may serve as measuring means for introducing a measured quantity of said liquid into said tube, and means for connecting said electrodes in an electric circuit.

11. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a tube extending downwardly into said vessel, a pair of spaced electrodes located in said tube, said tube being closed except for an opening at its upper end and an opening through its side wall above the level of sai-d liquid, and means for connecting said electrodes in a circuit.

12. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized and having a ared opening in its upper wall, a plug fitting in said opening, a tube carried by said plug and extending downwardly into said vessel, said plug having an upwardly iiared passage above said tube forming a foam chamber, a pair of spaced electrodes located in said tube, and means for connecting said electrodes in a circuit.

13. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a plug detachably mounted in the upper wall of said vessel and having an open-- ing therethrough to permit the escape of vapor, a pair of spaced electrodes mounted in said opening and extending downwardly from said plug into said vessel, means for mounting said electrodes in said plug, said opening through said plug being enlarged to form a foam chamber beneath the upper end of said opening.

14. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a tube extending into said vessel and having its lower end closed, spaced electrodes located in said tube, and measuring means adapted to measure a quantity of said liquid in said vessel and then to discharge said measured quantity into said tube.

15. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a tube extending into said vessel and having an opening above the normal level of the liquid in said vessel, spaced electrodes located in said tube, said tube being closed at its lower end, and measuring means adapted to receive a quantity of said liquid in said vessel and then to discharge said quantity through said opening into said tube.

16. The combination in a liquid conductor heater, of a vessel adapted to contain a liquid to be vaporized, a tube extending into said vessel, said tube having an opening therein above the normal level of the liquid in said vessel, spaced electrodes located in said tube, and measuring means adapted to be lled with said liquid in said vessel upon the tilting of said vessel and to discharge said measured quantity of liquid through said opening into said tube when said vessel is restored to its normal position.

MARSHALL W. HANKS. GEORGE H. NELSON. 

